Radiation detecting device



Nov. 22, 1949 G. HERZOG RADIATION DETECTING' DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 10, 1944 www w wm d UP INJENTOR (if wm /%-/Pza6 ATTOR Nov. 22, 1949 G. HERZOG RADIATION DETECTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 10, 1944 Pica/mn?.

lNVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 22, 1949 aisalse RADIATION DETECTING DEVICE Gerhard Herzog, Houston, Tex., assignor to The Texas Company, N ew York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application November 10, 1944, Serial No. 562,870

9 Claims.

This invention relates to radiation detecting devices and more particularly to a device of the counter type for detecting and measuring penetrative radiation such as gamma rays. The principal object of the invention is the provision of a gamma ray detecting device having a high counting rate, i. e., a device capable of providing clear` and distinct pulses or counts without blur ring even when the pulses occur at a rate of many thousands per second.

In the measurement of the thickness of plates or tube walls or of the density of substances in accordance with the methods disclosed, for example, in the U. S. Letters Patents to Hare, No. 2,277,- 756 and No. 2,304,910 granted March 31, 1942, and December 15, 1942, respectively, wherein penetrative radiation from a source such as radium is diffused within the object being measured, part of the diffused radiation being scattered back to a detector such as a Geiger counter disposed near the source and at the same side of the object as the source, the speed with which measurements may be made is somewhat dependent upon the size of the radiation source. However, there are limitations to the size of the source since when the counting rate becomes too high the pulses occur so rapidly that they become overlapped and cannot be distinguished.

In the U. s. Letters Patent of D. G. C. Hare and Gerhard Herzog, No. 2,397,073, granted March 19, 1946, and D. G. C. Hare No. 2,397,071, granted March 19, 1946, radiation detectors or counters are described in which a plurality of wires are disposed either between adjacent pairs of spaced, parallel cathode plates or through aligned holes in a bank of separated, parallel cathode plates, the wires being connected together electrically to form the anode of the counter. Counters of this type are many times more elicient than the conventional Geiger-Mller counter having a single anode passing through the longitudinal axis of a cylindrical cathode but since the pulses from the improved counter are the sum of the pulses from the plurality of anode wires they sometimes become indistinguishable when the counting rate is very fast.

In accordance with the invention a radiation detector or counter has been provided along the lines of those described in the aforementioned Patents, Nos. 2,397,073 and 2,397,071, but in which the anode wires are electrically insulated from each other, singly or in groups and either the separate wires or groups of Wires are connected to individual amplifiers, The common cathode is connected to each amplifier. 'I'hus the pulses from each wire or from predetermined groups of wires are separately amplified and are then fed from the ampliers to a suitable indicating or recording device such as a mechanical counter or Yan integrating circuit. It has been found that" rings 23.

25osasl with such an arrangement clear and easily distinguishable pulses or counts can be recorded, even when the counting rate is of the order of several thousand per second.

As a modification, a detector will be describe in which a plurality of slightly separated parallel cathode plates are provided with several series of aligned holes and in which tubes or cylinders of wire mesh are disposed through the several series of holes. These mesh tubes and the cathode plates are all connected together electrically to form a common cathode. An anode wire is mounted along the longitudinal axis of each tube, the wires being insulated from each other, or if desired, connected in groups to individual amplifiers as has been described. The mesh tubes not only increase the effective cathode area but also serve to prevent capacity coupling between the several anode wires.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which p Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional elevation through one type of detector embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the detector on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; l

Fig. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic, isometric view of the cathode and anodes of a counter in which the anode wires are parallel to the cathode plates;

Fig. 4 is a cross section through the counter of Fig, 3; and

Fig. 5 is a view of a Inodied form of detector.

Referring to the drawing, particularly to Figures l and 2, a cylindrical casing lll having end closure plates l2 and i4 is shown as housing the essential parts of a detector or counter. The casing it may be of brass although any other suit- 5.' able metallic or non-metallic material may be used. Within the casing and near one end is a circular disc I6 resting against a shoulder H3 formed in the casing I0 and provided with a plurality of holes 20, four in this instance, in which insulating members or buttons 22 are disposed. Near the otherend of the casing I0 is another disc 24 similar to the disc i6 and provided with similar holes containing additional insulating members 22. Within the space between the discs I6 and 2e are mounted a plurality of cathode plates or sheets 25, these plates being secured in position and spaced apart by means of separator As shown more clearly in Fig. 2 the casing is provided with a key 30 and the rings 2B and the cathode plates 26 are provided with notches or openings corresponding substantially to the shape of the key. By this means proper alignment of the cathode plates is secured and maintained. Each cathode plate is provided with holes 32 corresponding in number to those in the into the end of the casing so as to compress and Al lock the discs I6 and 2li, the cathode platesfz,

and the separator rings 23 in arigid position..

"stretched through each series of holes 32 1n the cathode plates 26 is afne wire.:.38-comprising an anode. In viewing Figaltheleft hand-end-ofl" each wire 38 is provided with an enlargement 40 which is housed withinandbears Iagainst,the

bottom of a cup-shaped member 42 tted within a hole d4 in each of the insulating-buttons 22. The other end of each Wire 38 is also provided 15 with an enlargement; 4i) housed within an exterfpiorly.threaded, elongated cup 46 adapted to be ,screwedinto a cup48 fitting within a hole ineach insulating button 22. Between the enlargement .the cup14'6 is-.engaged by a suitable tool and pulledl :toward -the right until the wire is under the .fpdesired tension. `:position while the cup 48 is screwed toward the si xleftrand until its enlarged head engages the insuvlating button 22. under the desired tension.

The cup 46 is held in that The wire 38 will then remain The end plate i4 is provided with a plurality of .insulated ibushings 52, one for each anode wire ,35 and a connection is made between a metal cap 54 on the end of each bushing and its respective .anode wire. The end plate t4 is also provided of argon and petroleum ether. After'the end plate vI4 has been secured lto the casing I0 as by welding or soldering and the gaseous lling lplaced inthe casing the ,end of the tube l58 is 45 crimped so as to seal the interior of the detector. .sghewnemewhat dagrammaticaily in Fig. 1 the bank of cathode plates is connected .-aszby means of a wire Vt0 to an input terminal ofeacli Aof Va plurality of amplifiers 62. The other input V50 u,terminal of each amplier is cQnnected-to one of .Stljieallod Wires 3'8 and the outputs of theseveral amplifiers may be connected to a suitable recorder' which may comprise a suitable integration circuit 4 ,At is understood that la lpotential of approximately 1.090 voltsis maintained across the cathode bank and each ofthe anode wires and that the 4gas pressure within the detector will be of the order `of two thirdsof one atmosphere. A gamma 60 ray striking one of the cathode plates 38 may cause ian electron to be ejected from the plate to VAc userionizaticn ofthe gas, and an electrical pulse ll be produced which will be amplified by one In Fig. -3 is shown rather diagrammatically an '70 @mbodiment of the invention in which a plurality iQf groups of anode Wires yt5 are stretched parallel to and between adjacent pairs of elongated cath- `ode plates B8. It is understood that the cathode tank and the anode wires will be mounted within 75 The parts are 25 ramplier.

tlie amplifiers 62 and conducted to "the re- 65 4 a suitable envelope or casing, not shown, containing an ionizab-le gas. Each group of three anode .,wires166gisshown asv` connected together and to one of the amplifiers 10,- the cathode bank 68 also being connected to the input of each of the iamplifiers. As was the case with reference to the v.embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the outputs of the ampliers 'I0 are led to a suitable recorder 12.

"InHFig' 5 stillf another embodiment is disclosed somewhat diagrammatically, this construction being similar to that of the detector of Figs. l

,andVZbut with-the Aaddition of a tube or cylinder 14 of fairly fine wire mesh or gauze disposed -withinfeach series of holes in the cathode plates 16. It has been found that gauze of 60 to 100 mesh copper -wire is very Asatisfactory although -other sizes land-'materialscan be used. Ifdesired,

the diameter V.of thetubes 14 can be such that kthe tubes will fit snugly Within' the holes. ,How-

140; at the right-hand end of each anode Wire and `e2() 'Ve1`, it 11H35 be found, desirable` t0 USe'meSh tubes -the bottom of each cup d6 is a small compression `lspring 50. YIt is preferredthat a definite tension be maintained on each anode wire 38 and With the 1,parts `so far described this tension is placed on the .yvires in the following manner: .assembledsubstantially vas shown in Fig. 1 and or cylinders-of a Somewhat smaller diameter and to support them so that they will be maintained :concentriowiththe holes ofgthe plates. The tubes electrically to form :the -cathode. vAn anode Wire 1.8 is ',disposed-alonggthe longitudinal axis of the -tubes i4 andthe entire unitjsnmountedzwithin serves vto shield its respective anode from the :anodes in Vthe unit. In `the `embodiment dis- A,closedshown in Figs.; 3l-and 4 :each group of anode wires 66 is .shielded vfrom .the other groups by the adjacent cathode Vplates kand thus capacity couplingis `prevented orzminimized.

It is-fto be understood that instead of each anode wire being connectedgyto a separate amplidier, as shown in theembodiments of Figs. 1 and 5i two or more of theanode-.wires can be connected together ina ygroupand then to the'input of one Likewise it may be found desirable to connect one ortwo of the Wires of each group ,of three shown in Figs. 3 and 4, to a separate amplifier.

It willrbe seen that the pulses-from each anode Aor Agroup-s of anodes are separately amplified by its respective amplier so that clear and distinct counts will be recorded Without overlapping or confusion which wouldrothervvise occur when the .counting rate is high and where the anodes are Yall connected together so that all of the pulses .must be amplied in one amplier. By utilizing .a detector embodying the invention described to measure radiationl from a source scattered within an object, the thickness of which it is desired to ascertain, a relatively `large source of radiation Ycan be used ywith an attendant increase of the speed of making themeasurements.

Obviously many modications and variations of the invention, as hereinbefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, but only such limitations ,should ybe imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

`1. A radiation detecting device comprising a casing, a plurality of plates disposed in a bank inc said casing in separated relation and connected -together electrically to form a cathode member,

said bank of plates being provided with a plurality of series of holes, the holes in each series being disposed in alignment, a wire comprising an anode disposed on the longitudinal axis of each series of holes, said anode wires being insulated from each other, a plurality of amplifiers, said cathode member and one of said wires being connected to the input of each of said amplifiers and recording means connected to receive the output of all said amplifiers.

2. A radiation detecting device comprising a closed housing, a plurality of thin metal plates disposed in said housing in parallel, separated relation in a bank and connected together electrically to form a cathode, said bank of plates being provided with a plurality of series of holes, the holes in each series in alignment, a fine wire forming an anode disposed through each series of holes, a separate amplifier connected to each anode wire and to said cathode, and a common integrating circuit connected to receive the output of said ampliiiers.

3. A device for detecting gamma radiation comprising a housing, a plurality of plates in said housing arranged in a parallel bank and connected together electrically to form a cathode, the plates being separated slightly to form spaces therebetween and said bank of plates being provided With a plurality of holes disposed in parallel lines extending transversely through said bank, an anode wire extending through the center of each line of holes, a gaseous filling in said housing, said illing comprising mainly argon and a small amount of petroleum ether, a separate amplier connected to each of said anode wires and to said cathode, and means for recording the composite output of said amplifying means.

4. A radiation detecting device comprising a closed housing, a plurality of thin metal plates disposed in said housing in parallel, separated relation in a bank and connected together electrically to form a cathode, a plurality of ne Wires forming anodes disposed in proximity to said cathode plates, a separate amplifier connected to each anode Wire and to said cathode, and an integrating circuit connected to receive the output of said ampliers.

5. A radiation detecting device comprising a casing, a plurality of plates disposed in a bank in said casing in separated relation and connected together electrically to form a unitary cathode member, a plurality of wires comprising anodes disposed in the space between and parallel to adjacent pairs of cathode plates, said anode wires being insulated from each other, a

plurality oi amplifiers, said cathode member and the anode wires between each pair of cathode plates being connected to the input of a different one of said ampliers and recording means connected to receive the output of all said amplifiers.

6. A device for detecting gamma radiation comprising a housing, a plurality of thin metal plates in said housing arranged in a parallel bank, said plates being separated slightly to form spaces therebetween and said bank of plates being provided with a plurality of holes disposed in parallel lines extending transversely through said bank, a tubular member of wire mesh extending through each line of holes and in contact with the periphery of each hole in a line, said bank of plates and said tubular members forming a unitary cathode, and an anode wire disposed on the longitudinal axis of each tubular member.

7. A device for detecting gamma radiation comprising a housing, a plurality of thin metal plates in said housing arranged in a parallel bank, said plates being separated slightly to form spaces therebetween and said bank of plates being provided with a plurality of holes disposed in parallel lines extending transversely through said bank, a tubular member of wire mesh extending through each line of holes and in contact with the periphery of each hole in a line, said bank of plates and said tubular members forming a unitary cathode, an anode wire disposed on the longitudinal axis of each tubular member, a separate amplier connected to said cathode and to one or more of said anode Wires, and common means for recording the output of said ampliers. l

8. A device for detecting gamma radiation comprising a housing, a plurality of thin metal plates in said housing arranged in a parallel bank, said plates being separated slightly to form spaces therebetween and said bank of plates being provided with a plurality of holes disposed in parallel lines extending transversely through said bank, a tubular member of wire mesh extending through each line of holes and in contact with the periphery of each hole in a line, said bank of plates and said tubular members forming a unitary cathode, an anode wire disposed on the longitudinal axis of each. tubular member, a gaseous iilling in said housing, said filling comprising mainly argon and a small amount of petroleum ether, a separate amplier connected to said cathode and to each of said anode wires, and common recording means for the outputs of said amplifiers.

9. In radiation counting equipment having a unitary cathode and a plurality of anodes substantially coextensive with said cathode, the combination which comprises a plurality of ampliers connected respectively to the anodes and also to the cathode for separately amplifying pulses produced in the respective anodes, a pulse indicating device and means for feeding the outputs of the several amplifiers to the pulse indicating device.

GERHARD HERZOG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,220,509 Brons Nov. 5, 1940 2,322,634 Howell June` 22, 1943 2,332,873 Silverman Oct. 26, 1943 2,349,753 Pontecorvo May 23, 1944 2,370,162 Hare Feb. 27, 1945 2,383,477 Friedman Aug. 28, 1945 2,391,093 Howell Dec. 18, 1945 2,397,071 Hare Mar. 19, 1946 2,397,661 Hare Apr. 2, 1946 OTHER REFERENCES Copp and Greenberg, Review of Scientiiic Instruments, vol 14, No. 7, July 1943, pp. 205 and 206. 

